1 a: to fall back under pressure: retreatb: to shrink back2: to spring back to or as if to a starting point

How do you use it?

Sandy recoiled at the thought of being covered in green slime, but since it was for charity, she finally agreed.

Are you a word wiz?

Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "recoil"?

A. warn

B. advance

C. flinch

D. connect

Don't shy away from C. Use "flinch" to suggest a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with determination. ("She faced her accusers without flinching.") Choose "recoil" to imply a brief, sudden action or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust. ("They recoiled at the suggestion of stealing.") Pick "shrink" to imply an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness or cowardice. ("They shrank from the unpleasant truth.") Try "wince" to refer to a slight involuntary physical reaction. ("He winced in pain."). Finally, choose "quail" to suggest cowering in fear. ("She quailed before the ghost.")